KEVIN YANCEY KENNER
Kevin Yancey Kenner, I’m the youngest of nine, born in Harlem, NY in 1963 and raised in Mt. Vernon, NY. As a child I was fascinated with pictures, always looking through the family albums and there were a ton of them. My parents were picture people. There were so many I was able to start my own album. Some of the faces I knew others I didn’t, all that mattered was that they were family and that bond was all that I need and of course the picture (Lol). It seemed the family portraits and baby shots stopped around child number 9 (me). I found a few which to this day I possess. I am truly my parents’ son.
As a young adult I was the one with the camera on trips, outings, or just hanging out. The picture taker as I was called. It was not until 1999 I received my first SLR as a gift. It was a Minolta (film camera) and a requirement for my class at Prince George’s Community College (under the tutelage of Tomas Berault). I had to go back and obtain the knowledge as a graphics major, because during my era the computer hadn’t quite made its point. While pursuing my academic studies I wanted to use my own images in my graphics so I decided to take a photography course. It was during the moment after my very first darkroom experience where I lost my mind I realized photography was what I was born to do. I wanted to be a professional photographer (not just the picture taker).
In the past several years, I have captured many moments through my lens; one-click at a time— locking that moment in a different light. Each photograph is branded by the moment. One of my first images was taken in NY—of a tricycle on NYC Firescape. I entitled it “A Beginner’s First”, reminiscent of my beginning. Some of my photographs are titled others untiled . The title is usually a hint of what I was seeing or feeling at the moment.
As an abstract photographer, I find the beauty in grunge, patterns, shadows, and the abnormal. My photos are just a glimpse of the everyday as I see it—Probably in a way you would never have imagined. I aspire to make my name famous while I am alive!